Automatic feed paint and texture applicator



Feb. 25, 1958 R. G. AMES AUTOMATIC FEED PAINT AND TEXTURE APPLICATOR Filed April 4, 1955 INVENTOR.

ROBERT C3 AMES BY ATTORNEYS j 5 5 2 2 w 1 n 1 A m J K I J u n u a 1, a w 1 L m B) n w H n 4 M D a v n m a u 2 2 9 2 Illlllll I i. III 1 7 c T .2 2 wmmuflm un lm wmmmfl mhw .fi H n DU la the layer of soft material D when this material is not compressed. However, if the roller is applied to the surface to be painted and pressure is applied to the tool in the manner hereinafter described for painting the surface, the portion of the layer D that bears against the surface will be compressed sufliciently to expose the outer ends of the pins in this portion and permit them to contact with the surface. The pins alford the necessary traction on the surface E for rotating the roller as the tool is moved over the surface.

A leaf spring G is secured .to the bottom wall 3 at 22 and the free end of the spring bears against a hinged lip H and urges the outer edge of the lip into contact with the periphery 20 of the applicator roller D. Figure 2 shows a hinge 23 that is co-extensive with the width of the casing A and the hinge and lip H have a length equal to the see the dot-dash lines in Figure 1. At the end of the paintlength of the opening 13. The leaf spring G may be of any width desired and his preferably placed midway between the sides of the casing. An adjusting screw 24, see Figure 2, varies the tension of the leaf spring and in this way the spring tension on the hinged lip H can be regulated.

The pressure plate B is yieldably returned to normal position by coil springs I that have their ends 25 connected to projections 26 that are integral with the side walls 1 and 2 of the casing. The other ends 27 of the springs are connected to screws 28 and these screws are carried by the pressure plate B. A stop 29 limits the outward swinging of the pressure plate when the springs I return the plate to normal position.

A handle K is secured to the pressure plate B and, if desired, an extension handle K may be slipped over the outer end of the handle K as indicated by the dot-dash line in Figure I. This permits the operator to use the tool for painting a ceiling.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood. The paint to be applied to a surface is fed into the compartment formed by the casing walls and the pressure plate, and the opening 13 in the bottom wall, may be used as the inlet to the compartment. If desired, other means may be provided for filling the compartment with paint or a texture material. The roller D may be adjusted in the slots 17 to bring the periphery 20 adjacent to the fixed lip 19. The slide valve C may be moved for exposing any desired portion of the length of the opening 13 or for uncovering the entire opening.

The operator now supports the tool by means of the handle K and presses only the roller D against the surface E that is to be painted or have a texture material applied thereto. The compartment for holding the paint will prevent any accidental excess feeding of the paint or texture material therefrom when the pressure is relieved on the plate B, because a vacuum will be created in the compartment as the springs I return the plate against the stop 29 and this will not only stop further outward flow, but will suck up the paint in the nozzle. The operator, by pressing the handle K, while using the device, will swing the plate B to contract the capacity of the compartmentand thus force paint or the texture material through the opening 13 and out of the nozzle. The fixed lip 19 and the hinged lip H, plus the extensions 1a and 2a, will guide this material onto the periphery 20 of the roller. The roller in turn will rotate and apply the material to the surface E as the tool is moved thereover in the direction of the arrow 30 in Figure 2. Sufiicient traction will be provided to prevent the roller from slipping over the surface because the pins F in the rings of pins will be successively brought into contact with the surface as the device is moved thereover.

One of the unique features of the tool lies in the fact that it can be used for painting a ceiling where it is necessary to operate the tool in an upside-down position. No leakage will occur because the flexible strips 9 and 12 will prevent any leakage between the edges of the pressure ing stroke, the operator merely releases the pressure on the handle K and the springs I will return the plate to normal position, and this will prevent any paint from dripping from the tool. Such an arrangement is especially advantageous when the tool is being used in the manner shown in Figure 2, and it is desired to prevent any excess feeding of the paint at the completion of the painting stroke. The mere removal of the tool from the surface E automatically causes the plate B to return to normal position and thus tends to create a vacuum within the comor other material from the nozzle.

partment which will prevent any excess dripping of paint The hinged lip H will open automatically to a greater extent as the operator increases the pressure on the plate B because of the increased flow of material between the lips. In this way the thickness of the layer of material applied to the surface E can be controlled.

' When the extension handle K is used, the operator may use both hands to grasp the handle. This will steady the tool while in use and permit greater pressure to be applied if desired. The hinged lip H swings open automatically as the pressure on the plate B is increased and in this way the thickness of the layer of paint applied to the roller, is controlled.

I claim: 1. In an automatic feed paint and texture applicator:

a contractible paint-holder compartment including side walls, a bottom wall and an arcuate rear end wall; said bottom wall having a leading edge, and being provided with an outlet opening disposed adjacent to the arcuate rear end wall; a pressure plate having a leading edge fulcrumed adjacent to the leading edge of the bottom wall,

and having a trailing edge making a liquid-tight sliding contact with the inner surface of the arcuate rear end wall; the side edges of the pressure plate making a liquidtight sliding contact with the inner surfaces of the side wall; a paint-applying roller rotatably mounted adjacent to the opening; a handle mounted on the pressure plate,

partment and forcing paint through the opening and onto the roller; spring means yieldingly urging the pressure plate to its normal expanded position as soon as pressure on the handle is released, whereby the plate will create a vacuum within the expanded compartment for drawing paint from the opening and preventing any dripping; the roller being provided with a plurality of radially-extending traction pins, and a layer of compressible material normally covering the pins; the portion of said layer of material contacting a surface being compressible, whereby the pins in this portion will contact the surface and provide traction for rotating the roller as the applicator is moved thereover.

2. In an automatic feed paint and texture applicator: a contractible paint-holding compartment including side walls, bottom wall and an arcuate rear end wall; said bottom wall having a leading edge, and being provided with an outlet opening disposed adjacent to the arcuate rear end wall;a pressure plate having a leading edge fulcrumed adjacent to the leading edge of the bottom wall,

;and having a trailing edge making a liquid-tight sliding contact with the inner surface of the arcuate rear end wall; the side edges of the pressure plate making a liquidtight sliding contact with the inner surfaces of the side walls; a paint-applying roller rotatably mounted adjacent to the opening; a handle mounted on the pressure plate, whereby an operator may manipulate the applicator for applying the roller to a surface to be painted, and for exerting pressure on the plate for contracting the compartment and forcing paint through the opening and onto the roller; spring means yieldingly urging the pressure plate to its normal expanded position as soon as pressure on the handle is released, whereby the plate will create a vacuum within the expanded compartment for drawing paint from the opening and preventing any dripping; a hinged lip mounted adjacent to the outlet opening for determining the amount of paint delivered to the roller; and adjustable spring means for swinging the lip toward the roller; the pressure on the handle and the pressure of said spring means on the lip determining the thickness of the layer of paint applied to the roller.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

